Labour must get 'emotional' to win the next election | Andrew Marr | The New Statesman

Andrew Marr shares what a potential Labour government should prioritise and avoid in order to winsucceed in power.

If Labour becomes the next government, they will inherit “an absolute mountain of problems”. Their key to success is “cultural”, and  “fundamentally materialistic”, argues Andrew Marr, political editor for the New Statesman. 

Labour must foster an “emotional” connection with the British public, focus on policies that will deliver a tangible impact on society, and keep a clear distinction between issues of the public realm and the private realm in order to get through what would otherwise be “an intolerably difficult” administration.

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Andrew Marr is Political Editor for the New Statesman, and is one of the UK's most senior political journalists. He spent over 20 years at the BBC where he was Political Editor and hosted the wildly successful Andrew Marr show. He is now based in Westminster where he brings his deep experience of political reporting to his analysis of the most important events in UK politics. He also hosts Tonight with Andrew Marr on LBC Radio.

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The New Statesman brings you unrivalled analysis of of the latest UK and international politics. On our YouTube channel you’ll find insight on the top news and global current affairs stories, as well as insightful interviews with politicians, advisers and leading political thinkers, to help you understand the political and economic forces shaping the world.

With regular contributions from our writers including Political Editor Andrew Marr and Anoosh Chakelian - host of the New Statesman podcast - we’ll help you understand the world of politics and global affairs from Westminster to Washington and beyond.

[MattTheSpratt]

Dude's flourished ever since leaving the BBC, I gotta be honest.

[mattjones]

Really enjoy Andrew’s insight. Don’t have many mainstream media figures who are pro Labour. He always seems to be very well considered and thought provoking rather than just reporting what’s actually happening, he always seems to dig below the surface. Keep it up

[gregrot]

Labour needs to be Labour, not some tory lite tribute act.

[stephenuk]

Wonderfully insightful Andrew. I hope the Labour party leaders listen to your advice, it would serve them well.

[pauljohnson]

Starmer is like Blair's love child, just untrustworthy.

[missprice]

I met barbara castle! What an honour. I may have that as my epitaph. I went to a secondary modern school. It is important to feel what has made us strong. I was a lay union steward and feel even more strongly about how our workforce is being treated today. Labour has a tremendous tradition and is built on solid ground which will endure and provide a firm foundation for the party to go forward and attack the chaos that the current party has inflicted. YES, it does look rather grey but Kier Starmer is what he is. Emotion (passion) is needed but we also need the fire of Barbara Castle with good humour thrown in.

[MrScotchpie]

I'm from and live in the Lancashire. Labour needs to win back the North. Starmer, though he has a working class background, comes over as stand offish or aloof, probably because of his training as a barrister, . On the other hand, his deputy Angela Raynor would go down a storm up here as she comes over as an honest, straight talking Northern girl. Why doesn't he use her more?

[TihetrisWeathersby]

I completely agree, You have to sympathize with people

[ryanconnor]

Labour need to be bold like they were in 1945 and set up a new social democratic era that rebuilds Britain.

[Jericho]

With Labour not really offering much hope or any real alternative to the Tories, where are the Lib Dems? We really need to get past this 2 party politics and start to take the others more seriously.

[johnrichards]

Sir Keir’s biggest fault IMO is his amateurishness. Just watch Tory after Tory shamelessly trotting out the 5 priorities regardless of context, question or level of interest. Meanwhile Sir Keir’s team relaunch, amend, withdraw and launch again. But they can’t be bothered to do the hard work of hammering home the message so that a marginally committed supporter (like me) could tell sceptical mates what they stand for. Out of those you list, Angela Rayner’s the only one I’d let in my house for a cuppa. The others just come across as shifty.

[writtenenglish]

Andrew Marr is the most insightful commentator on the progressive side of politics.

[fretish]

Counterpoint: Labour needs to actually stand up for working people. Every time Starmer says “we’re for business” he just drips with disdain for railway workers, teachers and nurses.

[catgladwell]

"Emotion" didn't help Neil Kinnock much.

[paulcowham]

Thanks, I basically agree. I don't know if you're familiar with Paul Embery's book about how metropolitan London's labour has become disconnected with its working class roots, but heartening to see some of these issues being discussed here.

[jayball]

This is so smart, on point, and real.

[colindailley]

Spot on sir ! Well said ! Nice to see and hear you at the NS !!

[penandpaper]

Andrew: you are a wonderful human being and this is just what we need to hear. Thank you and
Please keep on keeping on!

[gray]

Labour need to stop going back on pledges they commited too

[carlmartinez]

Nice thought but unless we tax wealth rather than income and use that to then invest and truly fund public services it will all fail and we might well be right where we are now in 2029